SERVING MANY INDUSTRIES—SAVING MORE THAN TIME

www.nehc.org November 2014

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear NEHC Members,

Helicopters are incredibly versatile machines. Of course, you already know that helicopters have the unique ability to hover and are highly maneuverable. This combination allows these aircraft to be exceptionally productive in many industries and, in many cases, offer vertical solutions that are more effective than any other means. Consider, for example, how helicopters are used as air ambulances (landing nearly anywhere to transport critically injured pa-tients to the nearest trauma center), to support the worldwide energy industry (quickly moving people and parts to and from off-shore oil platforms), and aerial cranes (lifting external loads to mountaintop worksites without harming the surrounding environment). From Agriculture application to installing Zip lines, there are an incredible number of unique and diverse uses for helicopters. For instance, the picture at the bottom of this page shows an R-44 at work, carrying a fish receiver antenna along the Maine coast supporting a project to eliminate invasive carp.

With great diversity comes equally great challenge. One such challenge is to recruit talented individuals to en-ter the rotary wing work force. And, once recruited, these individuals need to be trained to fly and maintain the ma-chines, then gain sufficient experience to be productive, and to operate safely, in the industry. While there’s a vast dif-ference in the experience required to lift an air conditioner onto a rooftop or to fly an instrument approach to mini-mums, basic helicopter handling skills are the common prerequisite.

I’m pleased to report that helicopter flight instruction is ‘alive-and-well’ in New England. There are a number of very good helicopter training options throughout the region, several of which happen to be members of the NEHC. You may recall that, in a previous edition of the newsletter, we reported on Boston Helicopter and North Andover Flight Academy’s development of the SimR-22 Advanced Helicopter Flight Simulator. As you’ll read in the article be-ginning on page 6 of this edition, Seacoast Helicopters just announced its partnership with Great Bay Community Col-lege offering a new associate degree program in aviation technology to meet the growing demands for helicopter pilots.

Whether your goal is to become a helicopter professional, or if your immediate plans are only to fly recreation-ally, you have a number of outstanding training choices. Don’t forget that one of the most important keys to long term success in aviation is training. Recurrent, refresher and ‘mission-specific’ training are just as important as your initial training. To quote Captain Richard de Crespigny, “Good enough is never good enough. If you don’t strive for perfec-tion then you have no place in an aircraft cockpit.” (Qantas QF32—Airbus A-380 ’black swan event’—2010)

Our fall membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12. The evening will start with a short business meeting, followed immediately by the featured presentation. James A. Viola is our guest speaker. He’s the Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration's General Aviation and Commercial Division and serves as the gov-ernment co-chair for the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST). Jim received his helicopter training as an Army aviator, served as platoon leader in Somalia and end-ed his military career at the Pentagon where he served as the Chief of Current Operations for Army Aviation. Please join us to hear about the USHST’s current activities, and how this work is having a positive effect to reduce helicopter accidents in the U.S. As an added bonus, Jim plans to talk about his personal experience with ‘Black Hawk Down’. We hope you’ll join us at the Tewksbury Country Club on No-vember 12. It promises to be a great evening and you won’t want to miss it! W. Gregory Harville President Robinson R-44 “On-the-Job” - Looking for radio tagged fish

Photo courtesy of Peter Mekelatos

2

Cranberry Country-Pilots Help Growers Pluck a Popular Fruit

Hoisting 600 pounds of cranberries beneath a Bell 47 helicopter (a load that represents about 20 percent of the helicopter’s maximum weight) is tricky work, particularly when the weather is less than ideal, as John Ryan will tell you from extensive personal experience.

“It takes quite a bit of training to get somebody to where they’re not going to kill themselves,” Ryan said, adding a few other adjectives, includ-ing, “hairy [expletive].”

It was a mission that Ryan could not resist.

In 1987, working for a Huey operator as a ground crew member, Ryan spotted a Bell 47 with spray gear working low over a nearby cran-berry bog, dropping to the treeline to make a pass then rising quickly and rotating to line up for the next pass. Two days later he was knock-ing on the door of that Bell 47’s owner. Ryan was, by then, a helicopter pilot with 290 hours under his belt, and had a strong desire to join the ranks of the cranberry pilots.

“They pretty much laughed at me,” Ryan recalled. “‘Go away, kid.’”

Not one to give up on a tantalizing mission, he returned the following spring with 310 hours (and a commercial

helicopter pilot certificate), and took a job sweeping floors, load-ing fertilizer, and whatever else needed doing at Plymouth Cop-ters—for $6.50 an hour. He flew with the company’s experienced staff pilots on repositioning flights, and spent a year and a half getting on-the-job training before earning a chance to check out with the chief pilot. In 1989, the coveted approval was se-cured, and Ryan landed his first

(Continued on page 3)

Helicopters allow cranberry growers to maintain and harvest their bogs without damaging them with heavy vehicles.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Rotors.

3

flying job, launching a cranberry flying career that is still going strong. In 1994, when Plymouth Copters went out of business, Ryan leased one of the Bell 47s and launched Ryan Rotors.

Cranberries are big business in Massachusetts, where 2.1 million barrels of the red berries were pro-duced in 2012, according to the latest federal data. That’s nearly a third of the nation’s output, and ranks Massachusetts second only to Wisconsin, which produced 4.5 million barrels (100 pounds of berries in each) in 2012. Keeping that cranberry sauce (and juice, fresh berries, and other products) coming requires a coordinated effort and careful management of the vulnerable bogs and fields where cranberries are grown. Helicopters have long played a crucial role in every phase of the growing cycle,

including bog maintenance and preparation, aerial applications, harvest, and post-harvest bog mainte-nance. While more expensive than driving trucks into the bogs, helicopters spare the delicate fields from damage.

Ryan is one of five helicopter operators based at Plymouth Municipal Airport in Plymouth, Mass., home of the AOPA Fly-In July 12, and a close-knit community of aviators who work together to promote their airport, as well as the gen-eral aviation community they love. Cranberry growers ac-count for about 70 percent of Ryan Rotors’ business, Ryan said, though the overall demand for helicopter support has declined sharply in recent decades as farmers have adopted new methods, and reduced fertilization and other applica-tions during the growing season. The airport once support-ed a dozen cranberry hauling helicopters; today Ryan oper-ates a pair of Bell 47s, and a Robinson R-44 primarily used for sightseeing and photography missions, though it can also be used for external lifts (including golf ball drops for charity, which has become another Ryan specialty).

The five rotorcraft operators include the Massa-chusetts State Police and Boston MedFlight, which maintains a base at Plymouth Municipal. Ryan Ro-tors offers agricultural and sightseeing flights, and ball drops for charity or corporate events; New England Helicopter Academy specializes in flight training; and Heliops LLC offers charter services including photography missions in a Eurocopter EC120 that has flown cameras for the likes of Dis-covery Channel and National Geographic. Heliops owner Wes Verkaart also caught the flying bug young, thanks to a Bell 47 ride at age 8, but spent 30 years supporting his family as a designer of medical devices before switching careers following his youngest son’s college graduation. He earned a commercial certificate and bought the aforemen-tioned EC120, and is celebrating 10 years in busi-

(Continued from page 2)

(Continued on page 4)

Ryan Rotors Bell 47—Photo courtesy of Ryan Rotors www.ryanrotors.com

4

ness with a fly-in party in June. Verkaart, Ryan, and Rich-ard Smith, who founded New England Helicopter Academy in 2002, work together in more ways than one. They refer customers to one another, and even share pilot duties on some missions.

“We work back and forth,” Verkaart said. The entire airport community, from the town’s airport commission, to the municipal staff that manages the airport, to the pilots, op-erators, and clubs, collaborate to promote aviation, the air-port, and charitable pursuits including a biennial airshow that supports a Plymouth Aero Club scholarship program, and the Cars and Copters event cofounded by Verkaart and a local auto enthusiast in 2009 that has drawn thousands of attendees to the airport and benefits the Jimmy Fund.

Smith’s Part 141 school has three instructors (including Smith) who keep a pair of Schweizer 300s busy teaching students, about half them rookies, and the other half fixed-wing pilots looking to add a rotorcraft rating, Smith said. He is working with AOPA event staff

to coordinate introductory lessons and sight-seeing flights during the July 12 Fly-In (weather and logistics permitting), with de-tails to be announced. Smith said that first lesson is a no-pressure situation, designed to give pilots or nonpilots a feel for the basics.

“It’s not pass or fail,” Smith said. “We stress that.”

Smith himself was introduced to helicopters flying radio-controlled models, and said that is a good way to get a feel for the control sen-sitivity. Giving RC a try is a good way to begin the transition to rotorcraft, Smith said. All of those helicopter operations (which also in-clude occasional visits by military and U.S. Coast Guard operators who drop in for lunch, or a few touch and goes) might seem like a potential problem, but the operators said it actually helps to be among the state’s most active rotorcraft fields. Local fixed-wing pilots get well accustomed to working with their whirlybird counterparts, and airport manager Tom Maher and his staff do an excellent job keeping everything running smoothly, accord-ing to every pilot interviewed during recent visits and phone conversations.

“I think we all play well together”, Verkaart said.

(Continued from page 3)

Reprinted by Permission of Jim Moore, Online Associate Editor, AOPA

Article originally published in AOPA On-Line News

www.aopa.or/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/June/04/cranberry-country

New England Helicopter Academy founder Richard Smith started flying RC models, and still uses them to teach the finer points of

flying full-sized helicopters.

5

Need A Lift? Call JBI Helicopter Services

Specialists in aerial application of dry and liquid materials, power line patrol, rooftop HVAC installation, concrete pouring and construction support, mountaintop radio antenna construction & maintenance, and forest fire fighting.

JBI Helicopter Services is a Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facility for Bell 206B, 206L, 407 and the 427 model helicopters.

FAA Repair Station # FTYR033E

720 Clough Mill Road, Pembroke, NH 03275TEL: (603) 225-3134 FAX: (603) 224-9050

sales@jbihelicopters.com

HFI is offering up to 19 scholarships to help support students studying to become part of tomorrow's verti-cal aviation industry. Get YOURS!

Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarships—Applicants for the Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarship must already have obtained their Private license and be enrolled in a Commercial Helicopter Rating program at an FAA-approved Part 141 school or international equivalent.

Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarships—Applicants for the Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship must already be enrolled in a Maintenance Technician Certificate program at an FAA-approved Part 147 school or international equivalent.

Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarships—Scholarship winners attend a course from a selection offered by airframe and power plant manufacturers.

Michelle North Scholarship for Safety—Established in memory of Michelle North, a well-known helicopter safety expert and educator. This scholarship is awarded to a pilot who has already attained a commercial rating and demonstrates an outstanding aptitude for safe flying and aviation best practices.

Find the requirements and application forms at www.helicopterfoundation.org.

Please Note: The deadline to apply for scholarships is 11:59 PM on November 30.

A Rotorcraft Scholarship Opportunity

Granite State Aviation LLC Agusta A109E Power Elite

Luxury Helicopter Charter Service

Managed by Air Carrier FTYA033E

JBI Helicopter Services

For Charter Information 603-225-3134

Port City Air/NH Helicopters Steve Fox, DOM

603-430-1111

MMEL Revision

Airbus Helicopters EC120B

The FAA has published Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) Revision: 1 for Airbus

Helicopters EC120B aircraft.

For more information please follow this link

http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?docId=M%20EC-120B%20R1

6

Join us at the membership meeting on November 12. Identify yourself as a CFI-H and be our complimentary guest.

Join the New England Helicopter Council and help grow our helicopter community.

Open Invitation to All Helicopter Flight Schools and Flight Instructors

Great Bay Community College and Seacoast Helicopters Partner to offer

Associate of Science/Aviation Technology Professional Helicopter Pilot Program

PORTSMOUTH - Great Bay Community College and Seacoast Helicopters have collaborated to offer a new associate degree program in aviation technology to meet the growing demands for helicopter pilots. The two year integrated program offers students the opportunity to earn a college degree while gaining the skills and certifications required for employment as a professional helicopter pilot. In addition to an asso-ciate’s degree in science, each graduating student will earn an FAA Professional Helicopter Certificate. According to Bruce Cultrera, President and CEO of Seacoast Helicopters, this is the first college-based avi-ation career program in New England and the greater Northeast. The program appeals to those preparing to enter the workforce or looking for a career change, as well as veterans and military personnel preparing to re-enter the civilian world.

“We are excited to work in partnership with Seacoast Helicopters to offer a 2-year program that provides students a gateway to highly sought-after aviation-based occupations,” said GBCC President Will Arvelo. “The collaboration is another example of how GBCC is responding to industry need by crafting a program that leads to high-wage jobs in a critical industry.”

According to New Hampshire and na-tional employment projections, commer-cial and airline helicopter pilot occupa-tional growth is predicted at 11 percent through 2020. “The industry is clearly expanding,” comments Cultrera. “Entry level helicopter pilots work in a variety of roles, including flight instructors, charter pilots, scenic tour pilots, utility and trau-ma pilots, and we are preparing them for these roles. In addition to the profes-sional pilot career path, the program of-fers a solid starting place for entry into fields such as Airport Management, Air-craft Maintenance, and Airport Line Management.”

Cultrera notes that because many pilots today received training from the U.S. Ar-my during the Vietnam conflict, they are approaching the mandatory retirement age, leaving positions unfilled.

The program has been approved by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Financial Aid including Federal scholarships, Federal grants and student loans are available for those who qualify. VA Eligibility approval is in process.

(Continued on page 7)

7

Coursework for the 2-year program is taught at Great Bay Com-munity College in Portsmouth by both GBCC instructors and FAA-Certified Flight Instructors from Seacoast Helicopters, and satisfies the academic requirements for an associate of science degree. Students complete ground school and flight training at Seacoast Helicopters, located near the campus on the Trade-port. “The fact that the Seacoast Helicopters hangar, training space, and office are less than ¼ mile from the GBCC campus makes the program extremely convenient,” said Cultrera.

To satisfy the flight training requirement, students train in new, state-of-the-art Robinson helicopters with FAA-Certified Flight Instructors. According to Cultrera, flight training is conducted in the controlled airspace over the Pease Tradeport. “The R22 Beta II and R44 Raven II helicopters are the most popular train-ing helicopters in the world. We also provide FAA-Certified flight and ground instructors for primary and advanced flight instruction.” ##

(Continued from page 6)

Aero Club of New England—Ice Breaker

ACONE extends an invitation to the NEHC to join in for the kick off of its 2015 social season. The “Icebreaker” is a fine excuse for a social gathering and a great way to avoid the winter doldrums.

January’s Icebreaker—Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Starting at 6:00 PM @ Chateau Restaurant in Waltham, MA

The Speaker: Maj Todd Gaston, Chief, Weather Integration, Hans-com Air Force Base. He will talk about his role to provide meteoro-logical maps and overlays to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) to aid in the recovery of debris and documentation of the accident representing novel uses of weather technology and of potential beneficial uses of weather technology to aviators.

Please Mark Your Calendar! More Information to Follow.

For more information contact: Joe Passafiume, programs@ACONE.org

For more information contact: Great Bay Community College (603) 427-7610 ● email  askgreatbay@ccsnh.edu

Bell 429 Maximum Gross Weight Remains Limited to 7,000 pounds.

On October 17, 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) again denied Bell Heli-copter’s petition to increase the 429’s gross weight.

In 2012, Bell Canada petitioned the FAA for an exemption from § 27.1 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (FARs). The exemption, if granted, would have allowed type certifica-tion of the Bell 429 model helicopter with an increase in the maximum gross weight from 7,000 pounds to 7,500 pounds under Part 27 of the FARs as a normal category rotorcraft. The original petition was denied and Bell Can-ada promptly submitted a petition for recon-sideration, which has also been denied.

In its decision denying the petition, the FAA stated, in part, that;

“this grant of exemption would not be in the public interest and that the case pre-sented on reconsideration does not war-rant a change to the original conclusions. The petitioner may have submitted addi-tional details to support its exemption petition but there was no new infor-mation to consider beyond that provided in the original petition for exemption. I find that there were no factual errors or incorrect interpretations of law, regula-tion, or precedent by the FAA in the deni-al of the original petition.”

8

Mitigating the Risks of Aerial Patrols

A safe and reliable operation is built on a foundation of strong, continually evolving programs that adapt to changing regulations. Federal requirements now mandate that electric transmission utilities perform annual vegetation in-spections on all of their rights-of-way. To complete these inspections, many utilities rely on helicopters, which pose high risks due to low-altitude flying and close proximity to lines where the danger of a strike is always present.

In the U.S., helicopter wire-strike accidents account for 5 percent of civilian helicopter accidents. And while many helicopters are now equipped with wire-strike prevention systems, no system can guarantee complete protection. Even though 5 percent may seem like a low number, nearly 100 percent of the work being done for electric utilities using a helicopter is conducted in a wire environment. Accidents involv-ing strikes often cause serious injuries and fatalities.

Vermont Electric Power Co. (VELCO), Vermont’s statewide transmission utility, owns and operates 738 miles of transmission lines and 1,600 miles of fiber-optic lines, providing the backbone of Vermont’s elec-trical and data systems. Due to Vermont’s rugged terrain and punishing weather, ensuring VELCO’s system reliabil-ity requires multiple helicopter aerial patrols each year. VELCO utilizes JBI Helicopter Services, located in Pem-broke, N.H., to perform its aerial patrols in a partnership that has developed over 30 years, improving safety through consistency. [Editor’s note—JBI Helicopter Services is a long time ‘operator member’ and active supporter of NEHC]

JBI pilots undergo rigorous training before flying in a wire environment. All pilots have a commercial license and a minimum of a second-class medical certificate from an aviation medical examiner. Although not required by regula-tion, JBI pilots also undergo a utility patrol training program covering utility infrastructure, nomenclature, types of construction, insulators, voltages and how to identify hazardous situations. Each pilot participates in ride-alongs in which they observe the process from the backseat. Beginning pilots undertake several practice patrols, with the chief pilot teaching them to recognize potentially hazardous situations. Pilots are not allowed to patrol until they complete all training, which typically takes about six to eight weeks.

A VELCO forester and a lineworker participate in each aerial patrol, looking for vegetation and infrastructure issues. They are considered part of the flight crew and play a role in aircrew safety. VELCO has a strong safety culture and is continually looking for methods to increase the safety of its work practices. Helicopter aerial patrols are no different. Even with JBI’s strong safety culture, VELCO and JBI have implemented methods that improve aerial patrol safety,

including the following:

Pre-Flight Daily Checklist—This document is similar to the daily safety tailboard that utility crews use before beginning fieldwork. The safety tailboard identifies the work to be performed, personal

(Continued on page 11)

9

NEHC Fall Membership Meeting

Wednesday November 12, 2014

7:00 PM at the

Tewksbury Country Club 1880 Main Street

Tewksbury, MA 01876 (978) 640-0033

Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Free admission for members and $10 fee for non-members, which

is waived if you join NEHC on the night of the

meeting.

Anyone interested in flying into this meeting should contact Marc Ginsburg 978.640.0033 to make arrangements. Happy Flying!

Please join us to learn about the USHST’s current efforts to reduce helicopter acci-dents in the U.S. and hear a 1st hand account of the events in Somalia that led to

the Battle of Mogadishu, commonly known as “Black Hawk Down”

The US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST)

And ‘Black Hawk Down’?

What’s the link?

(Hint—it’s Jim Viola!)

In addition, Bill Carroll will host, “Back-To-Our-Roots”. This is an interactive discussion to identify and propose solutions to solve local hazards, safety issues, ATC concerns, or other such problems that may affect NEHC members.

We look forward to your participation in this discussion.

About our Guest Speaker James A. Viola, a native of Dunmore PA, served the military for 27 Years in a career that began in 1981 as an

enlisted Soldier in the Army Reserves and finished in 2008 as a Colonel and the Chief of Current Operations for Ar-my Aviation, at the Pentagon. He is a Master Army Aviator and a Master Jumpmaster/Parachutist. He holds Air-line Transport and Flight Instructor certificates for Helicopters and Airplanes. Jim is qualified in a variety of heli-copters that include the Robinson R-22/44, Sikorsky TH-55, UH-60 Blackhawk, Bell UH-1 Huey, OH-58 Jet Ranger, AH-1 Cobra, McDonald Douglas MH-6, and the Boeing MH-47 Chinook. He has also flown more than 30 single and multi engine airplanes.

In Aug 2008 Jim began his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) career at the Herndon VA, Flight Stand-ards District Office (FSDO). Jim was hired as an Operations Aviation Safety Inspector for both Airplanes and Heli-copters. He quickly advanced from an Aviation Safety Inspector into a Supervisory Inspector position, and became the Front Line Manager for the Colgan Air, Inc. Part 121 Air Carrier Certificate Management Team after the Buffalo NY accident in 2009. Jim moved from the FSDO to FAA Headquarters in 2011, becoming the Airman training and certification branch manager for the General Aviation and Commercial Division. He was promoted a year later to the Deputy Division Manager, and a year later was promoted again to the Manager of the General Aviation Division.

Jim is a Government member of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) and the Govern-ment Co-chair for the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST). He volunteers as the General Aviation Work-ing Group Chairman for the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) and as the Director of the pilot familiarization program for the International Grumman American Pilots Association.

Please Join us to Meet and Talk with Jim

10

Mystery Helicopter

Can you identify this aircraft?

The first person to correctly identify this aircraft will win a coveted NEHC ball cap, as well as im-portant bragging rights. Please tell us who built the aircraft and something about its history.

Answers can be submitted online at info@nehc.org or drop us a note addressed to:

New England Helicopter Council 70 E. Falmouth Hwy, Suite 3 East Falmouth, MA 02536

Helicopter Puzzles

Fill the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box con-

tains the letters

H E L I C O P T R

Fill the grid so that every row, every column, and every 2 x 3 box con-tains the letters

C O P T E R

A few ‘one liners’:

A mile of road takes you nowhere, a mile of runway takes you elsewhere, a helicopter takes you anywhere.

There are certain sounds in the helicopter that can only be heard at night.

The aircraft limits are there in order to fly the same helicopter again.

There are Rules (of Aviation) and Laws (of Physics). Rules are made by men and Laws are structural details of the universe. You can, and sometimes should, sus-pend the Rules, but you can never suspend the Laws.

C—O—P—T—E—R Sudoku

C P E

T E

P C T

E T O

P O

C T E

H-E-L-I-C-O-P-T-R Sudoku

T C O E

P H C L

P T O

H R O T

T I C

I H R P

H E O

L R H I

L C E H

Mystery Object

No luck with the helicopter? How about the item pictured below? Please send your ‘best guess’

to the NEHC at one of the addresses above.

11

protective equipment required and any potential safety concerns. All members of the field crew must sign the form and acknowledge the work and potential hazards. The pre-flight daily checklist is similar to these tailboards, but co-vers information and hazards specific to the upcoming flight. Some of the items included on the checklist are lines being patrolled, fuel stops, potential hazards, weather, landowner notifications, Homeland Security notifications, helicopter information and emergency contact information. The pre-flight daily checklist is submitted to the VELCO Control Center and applicable managers who need to be notified of the flight. Although the heli-copter is capable of flying during periods of low visibility, VELCO and JBI impose limits on opera-tion in rain and snow that can delay or reschedule patrol inspec-tions. In cases of unexpected weather, the helicopter flies to the nearest safe location – which is identified prior to the flight – and remains on the ground until flying conditions are safe.

Basic Helicopter Awareness Training—At VELCO’s request, JBI provides training to VELCO’s observers in basic meteorology and its effects on the operation of the helicopter, weight and bal-ance, helicopter performance, helicopter systems, emergency procedures and aerodynamics. After the training, observers go to the helicopter to see processes for radio operation, emergency shut-down and other important items. VELCO observers are regarded as crew members, not just passen-gers.

Training on Flying in the Wire Environment—All pilots, foresters and lineworkers attend a “Flying in the Wire Environment” course with refresher training required every other year. This intensive two-day course is taught by Utilities Aviation Specialists, an independent company widely known for pioneering pilot and observer training in the wire environment. The course gets to the root cause of most wire strikes – lack of understanding of the wire environment – by teaching the entire aircrew how to anticipate, recognize and respond to the hazards presented when flying low-level aerial patrols. The course includes information on crew resource management, why lineworkers and foresters are important to safety during low-level operations, how to scan effectively in the wire environment, in-flight communications about wire and obstruction, and how flight crews can forecast the presence of wire long before they have visual proof. Safety depends on engaging everyone in the search for hazards. This training provides a foundation for effective communications and safe operations in the air-craft.

Flight Hazard Warning System—Most utilities do their best to alert pilots to hazardous wire environments using a system of marker balls and other indicators. Since 2007, VELCO observers have been using GPS-enabled, rugged-

ized field computers with a customized mapping application to view their posi-tion relative to the VELCO system during aerial patrols, and to log vegetation and infrastructure issues discovered during the patrol. Prior to using this sys-tem, one observer’s role would be to keep track of the current structure number at which they were located, thereby limiting their effectiveness at identifying potential system issues. In 2013, with input from JBI, VELCO developed its flight hazard warning system, which warns the pilot and observers of approach-ing flight hazards.

(Continued from page 8)

(Continued on page 13)

12

Special Airworthiness Aviation Bulletin

The FAA has issued SAIB CE-15-01, to alert operators and mainte-nance personnel of an airworthiness concern; specifically, possible induced heading errors in systems using magnetic sensitive sensors such as magnetometers to provide heading information.

This bulletin is issued as a result of a growing number of reports re-garding heading errors and anomalies in heading reference systems due to maintenance practices. At this time, the airworthiness concern does not warrant issuance of an airworthiness directive (AD).

For More Information:

www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB/

The New England Air Museum is owned and operated by the Connecticut Aeronautical Historical Association, a private, non-profit educational institution organized in 1959. Located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, the Museum is the largest aviation museum in New England. This educational organization is dedicated to preserving and presenting historically significant aircraft and related artifacts, engaging visitors through high-quality exhibits helping them to understand aviation technology and history, and inspiring students through innovative and hands-on educational programs.

www.neam.org

Football and TFRs!

The FAA would like to remind pilots to check for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) now that the Division I and Professional Football Seasons are in full swing.

Blanket NOTAM 9/5151 is in place; however, due to the ever-changing times and locations of games, it is impossi-ble to publish anything more specific. Blanket NOTAM 9/5151 addresses the requirements for a TFR to be activat-ed for sporting events, but it is incumbent upon the pilot to know if his/her flight route will be affected.

Flight Service can only refer pilots to the NOTAM since they have no way of knowing if games were delayed, in overtime, or cancelled. Air Traffic will ensure IFR flights are clear of TFR airspace, but VFR pilots are only advised on a time permitting basis, unless they ask.

Airspace.nifc.gov

HELI-EXPO 2015 Orange County Convention Center

9990 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819

Tuesday, Mar 3 | 10:30 am – 5:00 pm Wednesday, Mar 4 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Thursday, Mar 5 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

(Preliminary schedule—subject to change)

HAI HELI-EXPO is the world’s largest helicopter exposition and trade show. More than 20,000 helicopter industry profes-sionals from all around the world get together each year to look

over the latest in vertical-lift manufacturing, equipment, and avionics; to network with industry peers, suppliers, and ven-

dors; and to discuss our industry’s challenges and celebrate its achievements.

http://heliexpo.rotor.org/index.php/register-2015/

13

For a video demonstration, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIUVKpko5V0. The system displays warnings on the computer screen and announces through the helicopter’s sound system when the helicopter is one mile from the haz-ard. Warnings are specific, informing the pilot about which hazards to look for, including wire crossings, towers or towers with guy wires. As new hazards are identified, they can be added during the flight. Pilots and observers have provided positive feedback in the year since the flight hazard warning system was placed in service.

Mission-Critical Crew–VELCO’s safety rules permit only trained, mission-essential observers to ride in the helicopter during a patrol. It takes time to develop the skills to be a trained pilot or an observer familiar with the transmission lines and geography. Crew experience and background are considered when assigning pilots, lineworkers and forest-ers. At no time is a crew allowed to have more than one novice member.

Helicopter aerial patrols are effective tools in the electric transmission business that do, however, pose unique risks and challenges. Technology like VELCO’s flight hazard warning system improves the ability to use these tools safely, but cannot be solely relied upon to prevent wire strikes. Rigorous training of pilots, ongoing observer awareness training and use of technology can help minimize the risk of helicopter accidents during aerial patrols.

(Continued from page 11)

Contact us today to schedule an introductory 

flight or to con nue your helicopter flight 

training.  Boston Helicopters can accommodate 

your training needs and schedule at our facility 

located at: 

Lawrence Municipal Airport (KLWM) 

Call, Email or Visit Us or our Website 

Telephone: 978‐689‐7600 

info@NorthAndoverFlightAcademy.com 

www.bostonhelicopters.com 

www.naflight.com 

492 Su on Street North Andover, MA 01845  

Boston Helicopters is commi ed to providing 

superior helicopter flight training to our stu‐

dents.  Our North Andover, MA helicopter school 

has a great environment to con nue challenging 

your skills as a developing helicopter pilot. 

Since we work individually with each student, we 

are able to tailor the pace of the flight training 

specifically to each persons needs.  

Boston Helicopters provides:  

All levels of Helicopter Pilot Training; Private, Commercial, Instrument and Flight Instructor 

Flexible Scheduling 7 Days a Week 

Aircra  Rental 

Helicopter Tours On‐Site Maintenance 

Authorized Robinson Service Center 

Attention—Military Aviators A number of NEHC members are current, or former, military helicopter pilots. We

want YOU to be a member, too. Please

join us at the membership meeting on No-vember 12. Identify yourself as a military aviator and be our complimentary guest.

Article authored by Nathan Boutwell

Safety Manager Vermont Electric Power Supply Co., Inc.

Reprinted by permission: Incident Prevention Magazine

www.incident-prevention.com

Contributing Author Jarrod Harper

Business Information Manager Vermont Electric Supply Co., Inc.

Mr. Harper is the architect of the flight hazard warning system described in this article. For more information:

(802) 770-6223 ● JHARPER@velco.com

Following the FAA’s recent decision to issue exemp-tions to six aerial cinematography companies allow-ing them to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Amazon, Google, and a group of UAV manufacturers this week announced the launch of the Small UAV Coalition. The Coalition will press the FAA to move quickly to allow other small unmanned systems (under 55 lbs.) to begin operation.

The coalition calls itself a partnership for safety and innovation. One of its three posted aims is to “promote safe and timely commercial use of small UAVs.” On its website, the coalition says that it, “advocates for law and policy changes to permit the operation of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) beyond the line-of-sight, with varying degrees of autonomy, for commercial, consumer, recreational and philanthropic purposes.”

Because many proposed uses for commercial UAVs would have them operating in the same low-altitude environment where many HAI operator members fly, HAI is paying close attention to developments as the FAA prepares to issue new regulations.

For more information please visit:

www.rotor.com

UAV Industry Pressure Builds

Ray Prouty Flies West Rotorcraft aerodynamics pioneer and former member of the Ameri-can Helicopter Society (AHS) Board of Directors Ray Prouty passed away on September 26. He was 88.

To honor Ray Prouty and his commitment to educating the ro-torcraft community, donations are sought to create the Raymond W.

Prouty Scholarship, through the AHS Vertical Flight Foundation.

www.vtol.org/vff.

14

Raise your company’s profile at HAI HELI-EXPO 2015 in Orlando, FL., by donating to Helicop-ter Foundation International’s Online Auction. This year’s auction, hosted by BiddingForGood, promises to be bigger and better than ever — reaching thousands of aviation enthusiasts and bidders from across the vertical aviation industry!

Auction proceeds will support the HFI Scholarship Program — an important initiative geared toward increasing the number of future pilots and mechanics — as well as efforts to preserve the history of the helicopter industry.

PARTICIPATE IN THE AUCTION—Participating in the HFI Online Auction is a great way to gain recognition for your company and its products or services. We are looking for aviation-themed items and items of general inter-est. The auction will be open for bidding 24/7 from 12:00 p.m. EST, Feb. 10, 2015 until 4:00 p.m. EST, Mar. 5.

DONATE TO THE AUCTION—Join your colleagues and support the industry by participating in this worthwhile cause! An Auction Donor Form can be found at www.helicopterfoundation.org/auction. You can also provide your company logo, which will appear with your donation, providing additional recognition to your organization and its support for HFI. Donating is an easy and convenient way to support scholarships for students studying to become part of tomorrow’s helicopter industry. DONATE NOW

Submit your completed form by January 23. For more information, email auction@rotor.org.

Helicopter Foundation International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID #52-1297129). Please consult your tax advisor re-garding the deductibility of your donation. An acknowledgement of your donation will be sent to you for your records in April 2015, after the

conclusion of the HFI Online Auction.

Raise Your Profile through the HFI Online Auction

Ryan Rotors Bell 47 Working in a Cranberry Bog

On November 17, HAI will host a two-day summit intended to out-line a path forward for the IFR certification of single-engine heli-copters under Part 27 of the federal aviation regulations.

Since 1999, installation and use of technically advanced avionics in helicopters has been partially guided by an FAA advisory circular (AC 27-1). At the time, digital autopilots and advanced avionics were only just arriving on the market and as a result, the tremen-dous safety benefits of these new tools were not fully accounted for. Fifteen years later, avionics capability and reliability have in-creased dramatically, but the AC guidance has not changed. As a consequence, it has become practically impossible to certify a sin-gle-engine helicopter for IFR.

The two-day summit that HAI is hosting will bring the airframe manufacturers together to discuss the state of modern avionics and the regulatory hindrances to getting those avionics certified for use in single-engine helicopter IFR operations. The intended output of the summit is a joint white paper that can act as a roadmap for the FAA to ease the certification process.

A follow-on meeting with FAA representatives is anticipated dur-ing HAI HELI-EXPO 2015, March 2-5, in Orlando, FL.

Single Engine IFR Certification

15

Cold Weather Flying—A Quiz

It’s that time of year again. Cold weather operations challenge pilots and helicopters. Rotor downwash re-circulates snow which reduces visibility and often creates whiteout conditions. Blowing snow can cre-ate problems when taking off and landing, and snow covered ground often creates illusions that make it difficult to control the aircraft. Test your knowledge about cold weather operations, snow flying tech-niques and flying in flat light conditions. Please consider that there may be more than one correct answer to some of the questions, in which case, please identify all correct answers. Have fun!

1. Technologies for forecasting icing are undergoing rapid development; however, PIREPs remain the ma-jor source of information for icing location and severity.

A. True. B. False. 2. To estimate the intensity of snow you know that:

A. Light, means that the visibility is more than ½ statute mile. B. Moderate, means that the visibility is more than ¼ statute mile. C. Heavy, means that visibility is less than ¼ statue mile. D. All of the above are correct.

Answers and 8 more ‘Cold Weather Flying ’ questions

are posted on the NEHC Website.

www.nehc.org

NEHC is LinkedIN We’re pleased to announce that NEHC now

has a LinkedIn Group.

You can find our group by clicking:

NEHC LinkedIn Group When it comes to connecting with profession-al people who mean business no matter what

the industry or profession is, few can compare to the power of LinkedIn.

www.linkedin.com/groups/New-England-Helicopter-Council

Help

Wanted NEHC Newsletter is s e e k i n g a s e l f -m o t i v a t e d , w e l l -organized and creative person to become the editor of the organiza-tion’s newsletter. En-ergy, enthusiasm and a passion for helicopters are a must.

Please consider making a 2-year commitment to help our organiza-tion.

Email your interest to:

info@nehc.org

Golf Ball Drop www.ryanrotors.com

70 E Falmouth Hwy Ste. 3 East Falmouth, MA 02536

THE NEHC ORGANIZATION

What do YOU want to see in the Newsletter? Please send any comments and/or submis-sions to info@nehc.org. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to improve and expand our newsletter!

Board of Directors Paul M. Montrone Chairman Fred Bedard Chris Donovan Greg Harville Bob Jesurum Rob Smith Christian Valle Wes Verkaart Kurt West

Officers Greg Harville President

Bill Carroll Vice President

Fred Bedard Vice President

Christian Valle Treasurer

Deirdre O’Connor Secretary

Industry Members Director Designees AgustaWestland Philip Coghlan

Airbus Helicopters Scott Dodge

Bell Helicopter Textron Darin Howell

Bose Corporation

Affiliate & Operator Member Director Designees Aero Club of New England Deirdre O’Connor

Boston MedFlight Suzanne Wedel

Friends of Flying Santa Brian Tague

Operator Members

Affiliate Members

EAA-106 Helicopter Association International

Jimmy Jacobs New England Air Museum Tewksbury Country Club

Aerial Productions, LLC AirSure Limited

Boston Executive Helicopters, LLC Boston Helicopters

Cannon Aviation Group, Inc. Conklin & de Decker

Granite State Aviation LLC Heliops LLC

JBI Helicopter Services Mass Mutual Financial Group

Massachusetts State Police Air Wing NationAir Aviation Insurance

Port City Air, Inc./NH Helicopters Seacoast Helicopters

Sharkey’s Helicopters, Inc. Survival Systems USA, Inc.

United Technologies Corporation